During the reading of They Called Us Enemy I started to remember back on my childhood and how my skin color has personally affected me. As a kid, I really never grasped the idea of racism. I would see and treat everyone the same.

For elementary school, I went to a predominantly “white” school which made me feel completely alone. When the kids would state multiple stereotypes about my race, I would think of it as just another joke without knowing if I should be offended or not. I never fully understood those jokes or where they came from and I would just laugh to fit in.

I remember being made fun of for the food I ate and just wished I had lunchables like the other children but looking back at it now there was nothing to be ashamed of. My food was way more appetizing than a bunch of cheese and crackers yet the kids made me feel like I was some sort of freak. There were so many days where their comments got to me and I almost started crying.

Stories like They Called Us Enemy are one of many. There are many people with similar stories and the only way to change is if we take action. Stop joking about racist sterotypes and stand up for those being made fun of. Discriminating those that are different is completely unacceptable. Nothing will change if nothing is done. Asian hate crimes are happening more and more and this is something we’ve needed to bring attention to. The URL below has information on how to take action and fight racism.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-you-can-do-to-fight-violence-and-racism-against-asian-americans